Digital printing

Digital presses are very different from domestic colour laser printers and colour copiers in that they use liquid inks rather than powdered toners. The resulting prints have the feel of litho prints, not heat-fused sheets such as those resulting from copiers and printers. Digital printers can cope with heavier stocks than other machines — up to 350gsm (grams per square metre), whereas most laser printers would struggle with anything about 160gsm.

Digital presses have the advantage over litho where only short runs (ie. small quantities) are needed. Anything under about 500 copies would be done using digital process. Since there are no plates to prepare and load the so-called makeready time is shortened considerably. For the same reason, the press does not need to produce identical prints as part of the same job — every print can be different if that is what is required.

The ink is stickier than with rotary printing - sits on the top of the paper rather than soaking in.

Image illustrating digital printing process :

Digital presses are most commonly used for small orders of posters up to A2 in size. For larger posters, large frmat printing is used.....

Large format refers to anything larger than A3 in size. The printers which produce this work are also capable of printing on an amazing variety of substrates (materials) which can withstand all kinds of extreme environments.

Large format printers work in a similar way to domestic inkjet printers but with a much larger platen (print width) and often up to eight ink colours. This combination of features means that huge prints can be produced, in our case up to 1,524mm wide, yet with true photographic quality.

Large format printing is costly and therefore the inks and materials are developed to last a long time. There are two kinds of inks: dye-based, for indoor use, and solvent-based, which is resistant to UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun's rays and therefore suitable for outdoor use.

Among the many substrates we can print on using the large format machines are:

• Photorealistic matt paper, suitable for the vast majority of indoor uses and window displays.
• Wet strength paper, designed for use on billboards and flat outdoor surfaces.
• Opaque adhesive film, which is used for permanent window displays.
• Translucent adhesive film, for illuminated displays such as backlit shop signage.
• Pressure sensitive vinyl, intended for vehicle graphics but suitable for any permanent outdoor application.
• Banner vinyl, which is usually fitted with brass eyelets and synthetic rope for affixing to fences and walls.
• Treviera polycloth, a lightweight yet strong fabric ideal for printed flags.

 Films of varying thicknesses and finishes are used to protect these prints, depending on the intended use and location of the completed print.

Image illustrating large format printing: